It is one of those things that doesn't seem reasonable at first. But it is true. It is very hard to lose weight if you are not sleeping enough.

You might think that the longer you are up and active the more calories you burn. You think that more activity would lead to weight loss, and that when you are in bed you aren't burning up any calories. But that is not true.

The main thing that determines how many calories you burn is how much muscle mass you have. That is why super-low-calorie diets do not work for permanent weight loss. Because they cause muscle to be lost as well as fat, and when you lose muscle your body can't burn up the calories.

But even if you are eating a good diet, and even if you are doing exercise, you still might not lose weight. And part of the reason for that just might be lack of sleep.

There is a simple reason for that. Your body rebuilds during sleep. It is not just resting when you go to bed. Your metabolism at night changes, and it is at this time that the proteins you took in throughout the day start to build new muscle tissue.

If you don't sleep enough your body will not have the time it needs to build this new, healthy tissue. And since it is this muscle tissue that burns calories, if you don't build up your muscle mass, it will be almost impossible for you to take off those extra pounds and keep them off.

You might not be aware that you need to build up your muscles to lose weight. Maybe you have the idea that muscles are only for bodybuilders. You tell yourself that you just want to be skinny.

But if you really want a lean sexy body you don't have a choice. You can't do it without building lean, healthy, firm and toned muscles.

So do yourself a favor. Get enough sleep. And finally get on the way to having the body you have always wanted.